Exploring the Merriman Trail

This week's adventure took me up the historic Merryman Trail on Mount Douglas, one of the mountain's oldest and steepest routes, where every step was a reminder of the early settlers and the Indigenous people who called this place home long before them. The relentless climb quickly turned into a power hike, with heart rate soaring, fallen trees to navigate, and just enough pauses to appreciate the forest and swap a few words with fellow hikers. I reflected on old races, trail history, and how these days I'm just as happy sharing personal thoughts as I am chasing miles, even if the audience is a little smaller. Reaching the summit was hard-earned, but the reward was fresh views, a few photographs, and the satisfaction of conquering one of Mount Doug's toughest ascents. From there, it was all smiles and an easy downhill cruise on Churchill Drive, another memorable Jackal adventure safely in the books.